While compact flourescent bulbs last longer and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, proper disposal at the end of their life span is not so simple. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control has banned CFLs from dipsosal in landfills because they contain mercury which is harmful to human tissues. Thus consumers and municipalities are faced with the challenge of safe recycling and disposal methods for spent bulbs. Jennifer Olney of KGO San Francisco writes:

...there is no statewide plan for handling fluorescents when they burn out. You are supposed to recycle them. But you can't throw them in a cart with the rest of your recycling because they might break and the mercury would escape.

That means local governments are left holding the bag, trying to figure out how to make it convenient for people to recycle fluorescents -- and how to pay for it.

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CAW & CFLs

In 2007, CAW sponsored AB 1109 by Assembly Member Jared Huffman(San Rafael) was signed by the Governor. One provision of this bill required the Department of Toxic Substances Control to create a task force to make recommendations to be delivered to the Legislature by September 1, 2008 on the most effective and cost-effective method for collecting and recycling end-of-life light bulbs. CAW is a member on this task force.

Need to recycle your CFLs. Find a location here>>

Legislation introduced by Asm. Ira Ruskin will require manufacturers of thermostats to develop and collection and recycling porgram for the old devices, that contain mercury and are currently being replaced. Currently, mercury containing thermostats are banned from landfills as they are classified as a universal waste. AB 2347, introduced February 21, would require collection bins to be placed at locations where thermostats are sold. Shaun Bishop of the San Mateo County Times reports.

Ruskin said the current laws need "teeth." His bill would mandate that manufacturers participate in a recycling program if they want to sell thermostats to Californians. A violation would be a crime, though no specific penalties are written into the bill's current language.

"It will place responsibility on those companies that have profited and continue to profit from selling thermostats in California," Ruskin said.

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What You Can Do

• Find a place near you to recycle your household hazardous waste.

Summary.
The bill will prevent human and environmental exposure to toxins, as well as encourage the recycling of consumer packaging, by phasing out the use of toxic, nonrecyclable PVC packaging.

Position and Status.
CAW Supports. AB 2505 was held by Senate Appropriations committee. Previously the bill passed out of Sen. E.Q. committee June 23 with a 5-2 vote, passed off the Assembly floor May 28 with a 42-33 vote, passed out of Assembly Appropriations committee May 22 with a 12-5 vote, and passed out of the Asm. Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials committee on April 15 with a 5-2 vote.

Governor Schwarzenegger released the following press release this morning regarding his signing of a packaging of energy efficiency bills, including CAW-sponsored AB 1109 (Huffman), which will reduce California's energy use for lighting and encourage the use of compact fluorescent bulbs:

"Governor Schwarzenegger today signed a package of legislation furthering his commitment to energy efficiency, conservation and pollution reduction.

'California is a world leader in improving technologies and promoting conservation while protecting our environment,' said Governor Schwarzenegger. 'That is why I am pleased to sign this legislation that will protect our precious resources and continue to keep California at the forefront of energy and water efficiency.'

The Governor signed the following seven bills:

• AB 662 by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) expands the authority of the California Energy Commission to set water efficiency standards for appliances.

• AB 1103 by Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) requires electric utilities to maintain records of energy consumption data for all nonresidential buildings to which they provide service and requires building owners or operators to provide benchmarking data to prospective buyers, lessees or lenders beginning January 1, 2010.

• AB 1109 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) enacts the California Lighting Efficiency and Toxics Reduction Act which prohibits the manufacturing for sale or the sale of certain general purpose lights that contain hazardous substances. In addition, the bill requires the California Energy Commission to adopt energy efficiency standards for all general purpose lights.

• AB 1406 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) adds condominiums to the meaning of “structure” with respect to the use of recycled water for toilet and urinal flushing.

• AB 1470 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) creates the Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 which provides incentives to attain the goal of installing 200,000 solar water heating systems in the state by 2017.

• AB 1481 by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) creates a uniform, statewide permitting process for landscape irrigation uses of recycled water, such as parks, playgrounds and golf courses, by requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a statewide general water quality permit.

• AB 1560 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) requires the California Energy Commission to incorporate standards for water efficiency and conservation into the existing building standards governing energy efficiency."

See the Complete Press Release>>